Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Palestinian elections

The Secretary-General telephoned President Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him and the Palestinian people on the peaceful and orderly conduct of the legislative elections. He expressed his appreciation of the work of the Central Election Commission, which received assistance from the United Nations for the preparatory electoral work. The Secretary-General views these elections as an important step towards the achievement of a Palestinian state. He looks forward to the publication of the results of the elections over the coming days, and to discussing them with Quartet partners.